Call for Papers: The Streets of Tomorrow - Exploring Cityscapes in Fantasy & Science Fiction

Journey into Urban Worlds

The city: a crucible of dreams and nightmares, a stage for both dazzling innovation and creeping decay. In the realms of fantasy, science fiction, and speculative fiction, the city becomes more than just a setting – it transforms into a living, breathing entity, a character in its own right. From Tolkien's majestic Gondolin to Gibson's cyberpunk Chiba City, urban landscapes reflect humanity's aspirations and anxieties, showcasing a kaleidoscope of captivating contradictions.

Messengers from the Stars, an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal, invites you to explore the vibrant tapestry of urban narratives in its upcoming 2026 issue, "The Streets of Tomorrow: The Cityscape(s) of Fantasy & Science Fiction."

Streets of Connection, Transformation, and Resistance

Streets, the arteries of the cityscape, pulse with stories of connection and transformation. Within their confines, characters forge alliances, confront challenges, and spark revolutions. In fantastical and speculative landscapes, streets become vital spaces of resistance, where the marginalized fight for survival and change. We seek contributions analyzing the multifaceted roles of streets, cities, and urban landscapes in these genres, focusing on both utopian visions and dystopian warnings.

Explore the Urban Fabric

Delve into a range of compelling themes, including Cities as Characters, Dystopian Cities, Ecocriticism and Sustainable Urban Futures, Resistance and Rebellion, Urban Utopias, Streets as Liminal Spaces, and Urban Magic and Folklore. Submit your academic articles (4000-6000 words) by September 1, 2025, to mfts.journal.com. Authors will be notified by the end of November 2025.

Unleash Your Creative Spirit

Beyond academic analysis, we embrace the power of creative expression. Share your short stories, poems, flash fiction (1000-2000 words) that resonate with the issue's theme. Craft compelling narratives that transport us to the heart of these imagined urban worlds.

Review the Latest Works

Offer your insights on recent science fiction and fantasy research or PhD dissertations through book and film reviews (500-1000 words). A curated selection of books available for review includes titles exploring climate pedagogy through magic, the cultural impact of Game of Thrones, the evolving undead in zombie fiction, the legacy of Watchmen, the shadows of modernity in Batman, neo-Victorian urban spaces in steampunk, the vastness of space in American science fiction television, and the final frontier of Star Trek. Contact the Editorial Board for reviews exceeding 1000 words.

All submissions should adhere to the journal's guidelines, available at [link removed as per instructions].